Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 15:63
As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.
63. As for ] The Author closes the catalogue of the cities of Judah with an announcement that the children of this royal tribe failed to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem.
the Jebusites ] The Jebusites are noticed above, ch. Jos 10:1, and ch. Jos 11:3. They were a strong mountain-tribe, and as long as the “Upper City” remained in their hands they practically had possession of the whole. The children of Judah, as also the children of Benjamin, took and burnt the “Lower City,” but relinquished the attempt to capture the “Upper City.” (See Jdg 1:8; Jdg 1:21.)
unto this day ] It is plain from this that the Book of Joshua was written before the reign of David (1Ch 11:3-9).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 63. The Jebusites dwell – at Jerusalem unto this day.] The whole history of Jerusalem, previously to the time of David, is encumbered with many difficulties. Sometimes it is attributed to Judah, sometimes to Benjamin, and it is probable that, being on the frontiers of both those tribes, each possessed a part of it. If the Jebusites were ever driven out before the time of David, it is certain they recovered it again, or at least a part of it – what is called the citadel or strong hold of Zion, (see 2Sa 5:7), which he took from them; after which the city fell wholly into the hands of the Israelites. This verse is an additional proof that the book of Joshua was not written after the times of the Jewish kings, as some have endeavoured to prove; for when this verse was written, the Jebusites dwelt with the children of Judah, which they did not after the days of David; therefore the book was written before there were any kings in Judea.
IT is very likely, not only that many cities have by the lapse of time changed their names or been totally destroyed, (see the note on Jos 15:1,) but that the names of those in the preceding catalogue have been changed also, several of them repeated that should have been mentioned but once, and not a few confounded with the terms by which they are described. But we must not suppose that every repetition of the name is through the carelessness of copyists; for there are often two places which bear the same name, which is frequently the case in England. But besides this, villages are mentioned as being apparently in the tribe of Judah, which afterwards appear to have been in an other tribe. The reason appears to be this: many towns are mentioned which were frontier towns, and when the limits of a tribe are pointed out, such places must necessarily be mentioned, though allotted to a different tribe. This consideration will serve to remove several difficulties which occur in the reading of this and the following chapters.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For though Jerusalem was in part taken by Joshua before this, yet the upper and stronger part of it, called Zion, was still kept by the Jebusites, even until Davids time; and it seems from thence they descended to the lower town called Jerusalem, and took it; so that the Israelites were forced to win it a second time; yea, and a third time also, for afterwards it was possessed by the Jebusites, Jdg 19:11; 2Sa 5:6,7.
Could not drive them out; namely, because of their unbelief, as Christ could do no mighty workbecause of the peoples unbelief, Mar 6:5,6; Mt 13:58, and because of their sloth, and cowardice, and wickedness, whereby they forfeited Gods help, and then they must needs be impotent; but this inability was wilful, and brought upon them by themselves.
Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem: the same things which are here said of the children of Judah, are said of the Benjamites, Jdg 1:21. Hence ariseth a question, To which of the tribes Jerusalem belonged? whether to Benjamin, as is gathered from Gen 49:27; Deu 33:12; Jer 6:1, or to Judah, as is implied here, and Psa 78:68,69. Some think, that being in the borders of both, it was common to both, and promiscuously inhabited by both; and it is certain that after the captivity it was possessed by both, Neh 11:4. But for the present, though it did belong to Benjamin, yet the children of Judah being possibly very active in the first taking of it by Joshua, as they certainly were after his death, Jdg 1:8, they might thereby get some right share with the Benjamites in the possession of it. It seems most probable that part of it, and indeed the greatest part and main body of it, stood in the tribe of Benjamin; and hence this is mentioned in the list of their cities, and not in Judahs list: and part of it stood in Judahs share, even Mount Moriah, on which the temple was built; and Mount Sion, when it was taken from the Jebusites.
Unto this day; when this book was written, whether in Joshuas life and old age, which continued many years after the taking of Jerusalem; or after his death, when this clause was added here and elsewhere in this book by some other man of God, which must needs be done before Davids time, when the Jebusites were quite expelled, and their fort taken.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem,…. From whom the city was called Jebus, Jud 19:10. The Jews say, that these Jebusites were not those of the seven nations; but there was a man whose name was Jebus, and he was of the Philistines, of the seed of Abimelech, and the place was called by his name Jebus; and the men of that family that dwelt at Jerusalem, their names were called Jebusites, having their descent from him; so Araunah, the Jebusite, was king of that place: and the fort of that place was Zion, which was at Jerusalem: so Kimchi relates from their Rabbins, and with whom Jarchi agrees, but without any foundation; there is no doubt to be made of it, that these Jebusites were Canaanites:
the children of Judah could not drive them out; according to the above Jewish writers they could have done it, but it was not fit and proper they should, because of the oath of Abraham to Abimelech, from whom they suppose these Jebusites sprung; but the case was this; though Joshua slew the king of this place, and took his land with the rest,
Jos 10:1; and though the men of Judah retook it after his death, it having been got into the hands of the Jebusites again, Jud 1:8; yet either the fort of Zion was never taken by either of them, or if taken, the Jebusites got possession of it again, and held it until the times of David; see 2Sa 5:6;
but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day; the one in the fort of Zion, and the other in the city of Jerusalem, properly so called, and thus they continued unto the writing of this book; by which it should seem, that the Jebusites were not dispossessed of their fort, or a part of the city, by Joshua; or this might be added and inserted by some inspired man afterwards; or however it must be done before the times of David: and from the whole it appears, that the city of Jerusalem, at least a part of it, belonged to the tribe of Judah, as another part did to that of Benjamin, to which it is ascribed, Jos 18:28; see Jud 1:21.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
63. As for the Jebusites, etc This furnishes no excuse for the people, nor is it set down with that view; for had they exerted themselves to the full measure of their strength, and failed of success, the dishonor would have fallen on God himself, who had promised that he would continue with them as their leader until he should give them full and free possession of the land, and that he would send hornets to drive out the inhabitants. Therefore, it was owing entirely to their own sluggishness that they did not make themselves masters of the city of Jerusalem. This they were not able to do; but their own torpor, their neglect of the divine command from a love of ease, were the real obstacles.
This passage is deserving of notice: we ought to learn from it to make vigorous trial of our strength in attempting to accomplish the commands of God, and not to omit any opportunity, lest while we are idly resting the door may be shut. A moderate delay might have been free from blame; but a long period of effeminate ease in a manner rejected the blessing which God was ready to bestow. (152)
(152) Some of the Jewish expositors, unwilling to admit the cowardice and sluggishness of their countrymen, fable that the Jebusites were permitted to remain in possession because they were descendants of Abimelech, and in consequence of the covenant made between him and Abraham, (Gen 21:22,) could not be lawfully expelled. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(63) Could not drive them out.It is observable that the failure of the three great tribes of Judah and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) to clear the inheritance assigned to them is specially noticed in the Book of Joshuaviz., Judah in this place, and Ephraim and Manasseh in Jos. 16:10; Jos. 17:11-12. A list of the failures of all the tribes is given in Judges 1.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.’
The Jebusites were safe in their mountain fortress and Judah could not displace them. Yet we note that Judah at one stage did capture Jerusalem (Jdg 1:8). This was probably because, with Benjamin, they captured one of its hills and its lower city but could not capture the hill of the citadel. Alternately it may be that they did at an early stage capture the citadel but had to move on, leaving it to be re-established by the Jebusites who had escaped (or been away on an expedition – compare David at Ziklag in 1Sa 30:1) and then returned. Later when Benjamin could have captured the citadel (note ‘did not’ not ‘could not’ – Jdg 1:21) they allowed the Jebusites to remain rather than driving them out. Jerusalem was a mirror of Canaan, — ‘could not’, then ‘partly did’, then ‘could have’, then ‘failed to fully obey God’ and finally ‘allowed the inhabitants to remain’.
Thus the triumphant passage ends with a note of caution. Not all was success, for Israel were not fully obedient to YHWH. As they settled down and relaxed so did their obedience. The maintaining of a high level of trust and obedience requires great vigilance and much prayer.
It is important to note that there is no suggestion that Joshua himself captured Jerusalem. He defeated her confederacy and slew her king (Jos 10:1-27), but he did not take the city. That he left for others who finally failed in obedience.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 63. As for the Jebusitesthe children of Judah could not drive them out The children of Judah remained in the city, and the Jebusites in the citadel, on mount Sion, till David forced the latter to quit the place, 2Sa 5:6-7.
REFLECTIONS.In Judah’s lot alone lay a hundred and fourteen cities. No mention is made of Bethlehem, though so distinguished in after-times; it seems not to have been yet built, or to have been among the villages. Some also of these cities they never possessed; and Jerusalem itself was yet in the hands of the Jebusites: through sloth, or weariness of the war, or unbelief, they suffered them to remain among them till the reign of David. Note; Sloth and unbelief are dangerous enemies in our Christian warfare: how much more could we have done for God and our souls, had we a heart to trust him, and zeal to serve him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
The dwelling of the Jebusites in the first of all Israel ‘ s dominions even in Jerusalem itself, which was not only the royal city, but the holy city, where the Lord pitched his tent and temple of Zion, might be intended perhaps to teach a spiritual lesson, that everything here below is imperfect. Jebusites dwell even to this day in Jerusalem. Much corruption remains in that heart where grace dwells: And while our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us, the best of God’s people find cause to cry out with the apostle, of carrying about with them a body of sin and death. But Reader! what a relief is it to the soul groaning under a sense of this, that by and by the God of peace will bruise Satan under our feet, and the Canaanite shall be no more in the house of the Lord of Hosts. Zec 14:20-21 ; Rom 16:20 .
REFLECTIONS
In reading this Chapter, my soul feels disposed to cry out with the Patriarch Judah, Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise! But oh! how doth Judah, how do all the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles sing to nothing, when compared to thee, thou Lord of Judah, thou dear Redeemer, the Saviour of all men, but especially of them who believe!
Let the spirit of Caleb be upon me if it please my God. If he who took Kirjath-Sepher be thus esteemed, what shalt be the lot of him who by violence taketh the kingdom of Heaven, and hath his name written in the Book of Life! Oh! dearest Jesus, may my name be written in thy book, and may it be known in that day of victory, that I am chosen in, and saved by, the Lord Jesus!
Lord, I would say, give me as Achsah, a blessing, and who but Jesus do I require? Men shall be blessed in him, and all nations shall call him blessed. In him are contained all the upper springs and the nether springs of every joy. Lord Jesus! let all my fresh springs be in thee!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 15:63
63 Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day.
Jos 15:63 the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out The Jebusites (BDB 101) seem to have held on to the fortress of the city of Jebus (cf. Jdg 1:8) until the time of David. The VERBAL (BDB 439, KB 441) is a Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, cf. Jdg 1:21; Jdg 1:29-33.
until this day This use of the phrase shows that the scribe lived and wrote before David’s day. Because Moses grew up and was trained in Egypt, which explains why Jewish scribes felt free to upgrade the literary works of Israel. From archaeology it is obvious that Mesopotamian scribes never changed their national texts whereas Egyptian scribes felt free to upgrade their national/religious texts. See notes at Jos 7:26.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is the division of the land so important to the Jewish people?
2. Did the Israelites fully occupy their tribal allocations?
3. Who are the Nephilim and Anakim?
4. What was the lot and how did it work?
5. Describe the Canaanite fertility religion.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Judah could not, Ac. Compare Jdg 1:8. Caleb succeeded at Hebron. Not until David’s day was this thoroughly accomplished (2Sa 5:3, 2Sa 5:6, 2Sa 5:7).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jdg 1:8, Jdg 1:21, 2Sa 5:6-9, 1Ch 11:4-8, Rom 7:14-21
Reciprocal: Exo 23:29 – in one year Deu 7:22 – thou mayest Jos 10:3 – king of Jerusalem Jos 11:3 – the Jebusite Jos 15:8 – the Jebusite Jos 16:10 – they drave Jos 17:12 – General Jos 18:16 – Jebusi Jos 18:28 – Jebusi Jdg 19:10 – Jebus Jdg 19:11 – the Jebusites 2Sa 24:16 – the Jebusite 1Ki 9:21 – not 1Ch 8:28 – dwelt Psa 106:34 – did not Psa 106:35 – But Jer 6:1 – O ye
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 15:63. The Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem Jerusalem was in part taken by Joshua before this; but the upper and stronger part of it, called Zion, was still held by the Jebusites, even till Davids time. And, it is probable, they descended from thence to the lower town, called Jerusalem, and took it; so that the Israelites were obliged to win it a second, yea, and a third time also. For afterward it was possessed by the Jebusites, Jdg 19:11; 2Sa 5:6. 7. The children of Judah could not, &c. A part of Jerusalem was in the tribe of Judah, namely, the tower of Zion, mount Moriah, with some of the south parts adjacent; the rest of it was in the tribe of Benjamin, namely, the greatest part of the city itself. So that it was inhabited promiscuously by them both. They could not drive them out because of their unbelief; as Christ could do no mighty work because of the peoples unbelief, Mar 6:5-6; and because of their sloth, cowardice, and wickedness, whereby they forfeited Gods help. The Jebusites dwell at Jerusalem unto this day When this book was written, whether in Joshuas life, which continued many years after the taking of Jerusalem, or after his death, when this clause was added, as others were elsewhere in this book, by some other man of God, which must have been done before Davids time, because then the Jebusites were quite expelled and their fort taken.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
15:63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them {m} out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.
(m) That is, utterly, though they slew the most part, and burnt their city, Jud 1:8.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Even though the Israelites defeated the king of Jerusalem (Jos 10:1-27), they were not able to exterminate the Jebusites who lived there. This city remained an island of Canaanite domination on the northern border of Judah.